On the election

As you are all probably aware by now Proposition 102 has passed. This means that Arizona's constitution is now amended to ban same-sex marriage in our state. It is a rather unfortunate and sad day in the history of our state and our country, and our church to have allowed such amendments to pass. The Episcopal Church has strong legislation supporting civil unions and same sex marriage, and yet the Diocese of Arizona, nor TEC stepped up to do anything. Sure, Bishop Kirk sent out a note asking us to vote no, but that wasn't enough.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ("Mormons") spent millions of dollars in California and Arizona to get these propositions passed. They ordered members to give time, talent and treasure to this cause. What did we do? Send out a note. But it's not just us, its everybody. Prop 102's YES campaign began months before the elction. The opposition No campaign began 2 ½ weeks before the election, and was hardly substantive. The only argument they could offer was "vote no again". We (the GLBTQ community, the supportive Churches, etc.) just didn't get our stuff together this year, to our detriment.

However, I would like to turn this negative into a positive. This amendment does not block us from seeking civil unions for GLBTQ couples that will provide rights quite similar to marriage. Hopefully we can now work towards protecting visitation rights, probate rights and more. Although we were dealt with a defeat, it's not as bad as the defeat suffered by the GLBTQ community in Florida. In that state, a measure similar to Arizona's Prop 107 in 2006 (banning not only same-sex marriage, but also civil unions and any recognition of same-sex partnerships) passed. They will be having a much harder time than we will.

In the final analysis, let us pray for each other. Those who voted yes, and those who voted no. I know we're angry, we're sad. But we can all take consolation in the fact that God loves us so very much, and that one day, we will have equal rights, and one day we will be able to marry, but it just takes time. Now, let's take it one day at a time, and one step at a time and redouble our efforts to invite people into dialogue, to educate them about who we are, and to share the love of God with them every day.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of us evermore.

Ian